Bird-Strike Deaths Continue at Omaha Buildings in September 2009

The ongoing saga of bird-strikes at Omaha continued in September 2009, with notable differences in sites of occurrence though overall, there were notably fewer known instances, though the differences can be mostly attributed to a change in the behavior of one species.

Bird Species	Sep 2008	Sep 2009
American Redstart	-	1
Baltimore Oriole	2	-
Blue Grosbeak	1	-
Brown Creeper	1	-
Brown Thrasher	3	1
Chimney Swift	1	1
Chipping Sparrow	-	1
Clay-colored Sparrow	6	2
Common Grackle	4	3
Common Yellowthroat	27	15
Eastern Wood-Pewee	2	1
Flycatcher	1	-
Gray Catbird	1	2
Great Crested Flycatcher	1	-
House Wren	3	5
Lincoln's Sparrow	11	8
Marsh Wren	3	3
Mourning Dove	3	1
Mourning Warbler	7	3
Nashville Warbler	22	12
Northern Waterthrush	1	8
Orange-crowned Warbler	1	1
Ovenbird	5	2
Purple Martin	30	-
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	1	1
Sedge Wren	2	-
Song Sparrow	2	-
Sora	1	4
Virginia Rail	1	2
Warbler	4	8
Wilson's Warbler	6	18
Yellow Warbler	1	2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	-	1

Bird-Strikes for Two Septembers

During the past month, there were some times when the extent of bird strikes was a paradox beyond belief.

On the 24th, it was a rail day. There was a newly discovered place that had not been known as a bird-strike locale, but where there was a dead Sora. Then but a relatively short ways onward at the same place was a disabled bird of the same species. As it was so early in the morning, my route meant more bicycling about, and this lead to finding a disabled Virginia Rail at the Zorinsky Federal Building, at its south side. My few minutes there to note the occurrence and deal with the situation meant a security officer queried my actions, but he demured when shown the rail. Then a bit later, there was another of the same species crouched under the wheel of a vehicle, apparently trying to find a safe spot to allow it to recover at it was not sufficiently healthy to just fly along on its southward migration.

Though the intent of noting bird strikes is to determine hazardous places, the records also indicate when migratory movements occur. Notable for this month were the number of dead waterthrushes, the aforementioned rails, and later in the month when several Lincoln's Sparrows were found and other species newly present during the autumnal season.

There were notably more fatalities for the Northern Waterthrush in 2009 with eight instances, compared to a single instance in 2008.

More disabled birds were noted in the latter part of the month when the morning survey took place about an hour earlier than what had been the normal protocol. In a few cases, the disabled birds flew away when approached to get a picture, so these strikes would have otherwise been missed. This indicates that other similar instances have been missed during the months of this effort, as birds that recovered quickly after a strike, would have already left when the building was visited.

There were 29 different species which were dealt a blow of some sort during the past two Septembers at Omaha. The results from 2009 surveys indicate a tally of 29 species, while the variety of species in 2008 was 26. There were additional carcasses which could not be identified because they were too smashed or otherwise degraded or inaccessible to allow a proper post-mortem identification.

During these two months in the past two years, 33 species are known casualties of bird-strikes at different Omaha locales.

Differences in Prominent Species

There were fewer instances of birds striking the walkways at the Nebraska Medical Center in midtown Omaha. A prominent differences is from the change in the migratory habit of the Purple Martin. There were no known bird strikes at the Kiewit-Clarkson skywalk at the Nebraska Medical Center in September 2009, while there were 30 last season at the same place. The birds migrated southward earlier than last year, thus they were not present at the roost site to the same extent.

2008

Purple Martin

Common Yellowthroat

Nashville Warbler

Lincoln's Sparrow

2009

Wilson's Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Nashville Warbler

Lincoln's Sparrow, Northern Waterthrush

Bird Strikes Dates

Julian Date	Sep 2008	Sep 2009
247	3	2
248	9	2
249	1	-
250	9	-
251	5	-
252	8	-
253	4	1
254	-	2
255	-	6
256	7	12
257	17	8
258	8	8
259	2	5
260	4	7
261	-	4
262	-	1
265	2	4
266	-	1
267	2	13
268	-	4
269	23	4
270	13	7
271	8	4
272	16	9
273	5	2
274	8	-

There was one more day with known bird strikes in 2009 versus 2008.

During September there has probably been a multitude of bird strikes ever since buildings with reflective glass have been built at this city along the Missouri River, which is a primary migratory path. Occurrence would certainly date back many decades since some places where strikes have been noted were constructed prior to 1900. And there are buildings dangerous to birds which have been constantly added.

The ongoing and deadly carnage for wild birds continued this present year, although the known extent of 106 instances is less than the 154 instances from 2008.

Another notable and profound difference can be obviously attributed to antics at the Qwest Center Omaha. As noted elsewhere, there is now a "dead bird patrol" early in the morning to throw into the nearby trash containers, any bird carcasses found about the structure early in the morning. This effort had been occurring at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., according to comment by the hired "security man" but has apparently been moved to 5 a.m. once my presence was noted prior to the first designated times. Survey efforts were undertaken earlier in the morning to potentially offset efforts by officials managing the building to avoid any public knowledge of bird strikes by removing bird carcasses, but this has been to no avail. There is usually always a security person present in the morning, though they usually just scan the scene, though on one occasion they stated that there was no bicycling allowed, as it might be a hazard to people. This was before 6 a.m. when there were no other pedestrians present.

The difference between the two months at this place which has undoubtedly been a hazardous place since its construction was completed, is 31 in 2009 versus 39 in 2008.

Buildings with Known Bird-Strikes

There were 29 different buildings where bird strikes were known to occur during September 2009. In September 2008, there were 26 buildings represented. Overall for the same month in the past two years, 44 buildings have had bird strikes occur.

The variety of places known to be hazardous continues to increase. There are also buildings under construction in Omaha and Lincoln which have features which are obviously known to be hazardous and will probably cause bird mortalities when birds strike the glass which is to be used as an exterior wall.

A couple of records were provided by people that knew of my documentary efforts and conveyed bird strikes they were aware of at two buildings.

One small success was at the Omaha Public Power District Energy Plaza building. The apparent decline in known strikes is because of the installation of screening on windows at the known hazard spots, as conveyed from the Fish and Wildlife Service, based on my findings they knew about last autumn. An onsite tour of the building was made with two company officials to evaluate conditions and to provide some recommendations about making the place a lesser hazard. Notably, the day after the on-site visit, a bit of interior landscaping had been moved, basically immediately to deal with the greenery as being a potential hazard as it was visible to the outside and near a tree, perhaps being enough to lure a bird into flying towards it.

The response of officials at OPPD is unique and hopefully more details can be given on their efforts? During the tour, it was also suggested that they explain their effort in the company newsletter sent to their customers.

Building	Sep 2008	Sep 2009
1200 Landmark Center	4	4
Aksarben Village - 6464 Center Street	-	1
American Apparel	1	-
American National Bank	-	1
Brandeis Building	-	1
Brandeis Parking Garage	-	1
Central Park Plaza	13	4
D.J. Sokol Arena, Creighton University	-	1
Federal Office Building	1	-
First National Bank Building	1	-
First National Tower	5	4
Gottschalk Freedom Center	6	1
Harper Center, Creighton University	4	2
Holland Center for Performing Arts	5	9
Indian Creek Nursery	1	-
J.P. Cooke Company	2	-
Kiewit-Clarkson Skywalk	23	-
Kiewit-Clarkson South Skywalk	7	-
Kimball Lofts	1	-
Kutak Rock - Omaha Building	-	1
Laurie and Charles Photographs	1	-
Law Building	-	2
Metropolitan Utilities District building	1	-
Missouri River Project Office	-	1
Mother India Restaurant	-	1
Nebraska State Office Building	-	1
Omaha Public Power District Energy Plaza	8	1
Omaha World-Herald Building	2	-
Omaha-Douglas Civic Center	-	6
Qwest Center Omaha	38	31
Redfield and Company Building	-	1
Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library, Creighton University	-	1
Ruth Sokolof Theatre	-	1
Slowdown Lounge	1	-
Union Pacific Center	14	8
Union Plaza Apartments	1	-
Urban Outfitters	1	-
What-Cheer	1	-
Woodmen Park	-	2
Woodmen Tower Skywalk	1	4
Zorinsky Federal Building	6	8

There were several new localities noted during morning surveys for bird strike instances.

One of the newest places is the obviously dangerous, but only recently realized Omaha-Douglas Civic Center. The atrium area is a classic example of how to present a setting that will cause bird strikes as the place presents barren glass with interior landscaping and bright lights during the night. The six instances are certainly but a small sample of what has been occurring here. It was interesting how this locale was first determined during the month. There was a dead Marsh Wren found across the street to the north. While working to get a suitable documentary photograph in the subdued light of pre-dawn, there was a premonition to go across the street and check it out. The carcass of a Sora was found, having struck the main structure. Subsequently, other dead birds and some disabled birds have been noted, mostly at the atrium area.

Other places, which had been projected as having features which could present hazards to migratory birds were at Aksarben Village and the Sokol Auditorium at Creighton University.

When the design plans for Aksarben Village were issued, comments were issued regarding the potential danger. The first known fatality was noted on September 18, when the carcass of a Common Yellowthroat was found on the sidewalk beneath the glass of the structure along Center Street.

At Creighton University, the extent of hazards increased exponentially. Whereas several email notes had been sent to University officials regarding the Harper Center (where there have been 15 known bird strikes), during the month additional survey efforts indicated deaths at three more locations. These include the Biology-Business building link where four carcasses were noted on one early morning look on the 24th. None of the birds, lying on ledges, could be identified, though they appeared to be warbles. Three days later, there was a dead Nashville Warbler at the west side of the Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library, on the third floor. Across the way to the north were a couple of more warblers at the east end of the Eppley CBA Building. A picture was taken of the scene of death. Two days later the carcasses were gone.

During a survey visit to the campus on the 29th, the administrator of the campus said the campus was doing "pretty good" in context of my posing a question about the bird strikes, with a comment also made about the "few" bird strikes which occur. Thankfully that day a few minutes earlier, when departing the "Link" a watchful public safety office did not harangue me, as my appearance with gray hair and an unlocked bicycle was certainly not typical of the university students which were noted to have expressed morning greeting to the Father, the campus administrator on the steps to the building with his office.

The first instance of a dead bird at the newly-built Sokol Arena was a Common Yellowthroat noted at the northwest corner of the structure. It was noted in front of the glass entryway, and less than two hours later when going past on the way to other places, the dead bird had already been kicked aside.

Ovenbird on the sidewalk at a driveway into the parking area at the American National Bank. 14 Sep 2009.

Virginia Rail in the street just west of the glass of the Brandeis Building. 24 Sep 2009.

Virginia Rail at the Zorinsky Federal Building. This bird was not yet able to fly. 24 Sep 2009.

Setting where a dead Sora was noted at the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center. 24 Sep 2009.

Carcasses of two sparrows at the southeast corner of the Holland Center for Performing Arts. There were two other instances of bird strikes on the same day, just east of this spot. 29 Sep 2009.

Carcass of a Common Yellowthroat at the northwest entry of the D.J. Sokol Arena, Creighton University. 29 Sep 2009.

Disabled Lincoln's Sparrow on the north side of the atrium area of the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center. Note the interior landscaping and extent of reflective conditions! 30 Sep 2009.

Carnage Continues

Overall, as of September 30, 2009, there have been 714 known bird strikes at Omaha, representing 78 species at 62 different buildings.

A special thanks to the two birders which have been helpful with identifying some of the species that have been found, especially warblers!

August 2009 Bird Strikes at Omaha Surpass Tally From 2008

August of 2009 was a much deadlier month for birds at Omaha. There were a substantially greater number of known bird strikes, with 54 noted, compared to 29 in 2008.

Julian Date	Aug 2008	Aug 2009
213	-	1
214	-	1
220	-	2
221	3	-
224	-	2
226	-	1
229	-	4
230	1	-
232	-	2
233	-	1
234	2	-
235	-	3
236	4	2
238	6	5
239	3	7
240	-	14
241	4	3
242	-	5
243	-	1
244	6	-

With a protocol which meant an irregular schedule due thunderstorms on 2-3 mornings, being out-of-town, or when the occurrence of strikes was reduced, some times a look-about was done only every other day, so there were probably twice as many strikes in comparison to last year.

The following is a comparison of the days during August in 2008 and 2009 when bird strikes were known to have occurred.

The deadliest day for birds during the month was when there were ca. 40,000 Purple Martins at the Martin Mecca Midtown at the Nebraska Medical Center Campus. Based on repeated observations at this roost, the birds using the locality seemed to be newly arrived and not familiar with the setting. Three-fourths of the strikes noted at this particular event, resulted in the mortality of the bird. While trying to move some disabled birds from the driveway so that they would not be run over by vehicular traffic, other birds struck the walkway glass and fell to the pavement.

Qwest Center Continues as a Deadly Place for Birds

Although the extent of strikes is skewed towards the multitude of martins at the roost (where the building owners quickly undertook some initiative to address the situation), the Qwest Center Omaha continues to be the deadliest building on Omaha for migratory birds, with at least a dozen more birds dying at the west side of this structure - comprised of a glass wall - which can obviously be called a "wall of death" for birds because of the endless and ongoing number of strikes known to occur, with 180 documented through the end of the month, with 46 species that are known to have hit the glass.

Building officials have done nothing to address the situation at this publicly-owned building, and have actually ignored U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests to address the issue to reduce or prevent mortality of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, an international treaty meant to protect birds, but which in the case of bird-strikes, its provisions are being ignored.

Building	Aug 2008	Aug 2009
1200 Landmark Center	1	4
Central Park Plaza	-	1
First National Tower	-	2
Gottschalk Freedom Center	4	-
Harper Center, Creighton University	-	1
Holland Center for Performing Arts	-	3
Kiewit-Clarkson Skywalk	15	19
Kiewit-Clarkson South Skywalk	-	2
Omaha Public Power District Energy Plaza	-	2
Qwest Center Omaha	7	13
Redfield & Company Building	-	1
Union Pacific Center	1	4
Zorinsky Federal Building	-	2

Greater Extent of Species

There was also an increase in the number of species noted during August in 2009, with 17 species noted, in comparison to 11 during the month a year ago.

Species Name	Aug 2008	Aug 2009
Sora	-	1
Mourning Dove	1	5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	-	2
Common Nighthawk	1	-
Chimney Swift	2	-
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	-	1
Willow Flycatcher	-	1
Purple Martin	15	21
Black-capped Chickadee	-	1
House Wren	1	-
Yellow Warbler	-	2
American Redstart	-	1
Ovenbird	1	-
Northern Waterthrush	1	2
Mourning Warbler	3	2
Common Yellowthroat	-	1
Hooded Warbler	1	-
Wilson's Warbler	1	5
Dickcissel	-	1
Common Grackle	-	6
Orchard Oriole	-	1
House Finch	1	-
American Goldfinch	-	1

The Black-capped Chickadee, found mid-month as a carcass at the Qwest Center Omaha, had not been previously noted as the victim of a bird strike. Neither had the Orchard Oriole, found at the same building early in the month.

The same general method has been used each of two months being considered, with the same localities visited - including a greater focus on what may be happening at the Nebraska Medical Center Campus - in order to evaluate which species and how many strike Omaha buildings. The observed results of the strikes - mostly bird carcasses - have been photographed to document the occurrence.

Each strike noted since May 2008 has been a violation of the taking provision of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which in each case is not being enforced by the responsible federal agency ... the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has repeatedly and consistently ignored this cause of bird mortality.

As of August 31, 2009, there have been 609 known bird strikes in east Omaha, although the extent of the bird strikes is undoubtedly much greater, but not known due to the drastic limitations and lack of resources required to conduct more expansive surveys that would better indicate the overall numbers of birds that have been struck dead in Omaha.

And... the bird strikes will continue unabated in the river city and elsewhere.